The Pitt football team will increase mask use starting Saturday, as the Pittsburgh area and Pennsylvania as a whole have seen COVID-19 cases spiral out of control over the last couple of weeks. Specifically, Pennsylvania reported 7,126 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, marking a single-day high for the state.
Initially, Pitt planned to have players and staff don masks at all times. This plan was established in order to comply with new state rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“In alignment with the recent guidance from state officials regarding the current health climate, Pitt’s football team will be appropriately outfitted for Saturday’s game with face coverings to use on the field and sideline,” Pitt’s first statement read.